This cow makes me laugh so much because even thought it’s a mere kitchen timer, when you click on the Ermitage link, there is a little video of mooing cows making French puns…when cows moo in French, they apparently say meuh, which sounds like “mais” – which means “but” and is part of an emphatic expression “mais oui” – but of course! — or “mais non” – of course not! Ok, it’s not so funny when you explain it to death (or at a dinner party like I tried to do after receiving my little vache timer …). But listen to the mooing cows on the Ermitage site. And think of me giggling.

And giggling.

And giggling.

Vachement très drôle. Truly very funny.

Apparently Ermitage is a fan of word plays (or maybe it’s just all French) – check out the tagline on their stamp: Prenez l’air, prenez l’Ermitage – take flight, take l’Ermitage (the cheese). Or maybe it means something different – Frenchies…please help here!

Prenez l'air, prenez l'Ermitage

I guess I picked up an affinity for trying to figure out some of these French puns of sort when I started learning them in high school as a way to learn French pronunciation. The first one I mastered was that “un oeuf is enough.”

As for Stonyfield Farms, no puns here. Just a lot more vaches. And some coupons.

I was contacted by Stonyfield out of the blue because they found me while looking for kosher blogs (!!) and wanted me to test their relatively new line of kosher, organic, Greek yogurt called Oikos. I warned their PR person that I would not guarantee a good review. I plan to taste the yogurt plain and to probably make one sweet dish, one savory dish (mmm…tzatziki?) to test it out.

It has taken me some time to get around to this because I went on a few little vacations, but I’ve been walking around with these Oikos coupons in my wallet and can’t wait to pick up the yogurt when I have a chance. And I am also at work on a more formalized policy on how to work with companies that approach me for product reviews or endorsements.

In the meantime, feel free to send me your favorite Greek yogurt recipes and French puns.

I have been really into Greek yogurt with pasta lately. I slice some onions, cook them slowly, salt and pepper them, maybe add a little thyme if I’m feeling creative and then throw in some cooked pasta and some Greek yogurt and combine. And a little pasta water if everything feels too tight. Perfect summer dinner!

I love anything with yogurt, I last used it on zucchini fritters which makes for an excellent breakfast or snack. One foodie I met on twitter was asked to test drive a car to review on his vegetarian blog (while eating stir fried tofu?).

– Laura, thanks for the pasta suggestion with Greek yogurt and onion — sounds like a nice summery dish. And using the pasta water is always a great idea.
– Sarah, I love the phrase “ma petite chou” — I think it’s the genesis of the Cabbage Patch Kids! — and am honored that you have bestowed this term of endearment on me. Zucchini fritters with yogurt dip also sound great, definitely summery. As for what is appropriate for a foodie to review or feature — I’m not sure cars are up my alley. While I haven’t yet been inundated by requests, nor do I think I ever will be, my reputation is at stake, so I plan to continue to be pretty picky and to speak my mind, positive or negative.

I didn’t know that Oikos was kosher! Definitely let me know how it is please! I’m a loyal Fage and Siggi’s eater but I think my boyfriend would be happier with me if I found a kosher yogurt that I like. Once you try Greek yogurt, ya never go back though. If there is one that’s both kosher and Greek-style, I’ll happily switch!